Roku makes one of the most compelling Over the Top (OTT) streamers available today, offering oodles of content options, a clean, responsive UI, and (my favorite feature) universal search. Of course for those who want to use more than a few of the 750+ channels the current UI doesn't scale well, so now we have another reason to like the diminutive device with a new display scheme available on the new, faster, $99 Roku 3. Fortunately, older devices will also get the update, but they'll wait until April for the privilege.

PR and a pic of the updated UI after the click.

Ceton is trying to bring an integrated experience over to the Echo. They made mention that they are trying to get Android to run on the Echo. They are also trying to get Netflix integration, one of the best new coming off this announcement is trying to get Media Center to run natively in Android on the Echo.

Most interestingly, one of those changes is integrating Windows Media Center into Android, allowing users to access all the content that both platforms have to offer in a single user interface. A hefty goal indeed and one worth waiting for, but the question of when remains. 

Engadget

In my opinion Windows 8 is faster then Windows 7, and I don't mind using it, but when you are on a remote desktop of Windows 8 or running it in Hyper-V, it is less then pleasent when it comes to moving the mouse to the corners to do anything. I came across this article in PCWorld Magazine and then found it on thier site for easier click through. I have done this for mine and I am enjoying it, if I can keep it as Windows 7ish feel then I am more happier. Goodbye "Live Tiles" and hello desktop again.

In a world exploding with tablets and touchscreens, Microsoft's decision to saddle Windows 8 with the finger-friendly Modern interface formerly known as Metro makes a lot of sense—for Microsoft. But if you're among the majority of Windows users who aren't using a tablet or a touchscreen, the focus on Live Tiles and mobile-centric apps is more of a frustration than a feature. Vexingly, Windows 8 is riddled with sneaky ways to drag you out of the desktop and dump you on that shifting, shiny Start screen.

PCWorld

Media Browser has been around for a while now, providing a solution to merging your available online streaming content along with your native local software, and they're investing in some big changes. See full notes below and at the Media Browser website--it looks like it's going to be as beautiful as ever. Currently in beta, but to be released soon!

Media Browser will become a client-server application beginning with version three, and will be targeting multiple platforms. The server runs on Windows 7/8 and Windows Server 2008/2012. There are currently six client applications in development. Leading the way is Media Browser Theater, powered by VLC, which is the replacement for MB2 and runs as a stand-alone application on Windows 7/8.

Then there is the Dashboard, a web-based client, which runs in any HTML5-enabled browser. This houses the server's configuration interface and will also provide the ability to browse the library and play content. In addition, Media Browser will be coming to Android, Windows RT, Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8.

While this will be a brand new application, it is extremely faithful to MB2, and many of our popular plugins will be coming along for the ride. There are also several new features, such as user profiles, support for special features, in-movie menus, chapter selections, and more.

When I'm building a dedicated XBMC box, I often turn to the "embeddded" OpenELEC distro because of its drop-dead simple installation process and just-works feature set. And now with XBMC 12 is out, bringing a modern audio pipeline and Live TV to the platform, it's a great time to upgrade or check out the HTPC software. If you need a box to do this, it would be worth taking a look at ARCTIC's MC001-XMBC which offers an Atom CPU, AMD 5430, DVD drive and OpenELEC 3.0 pre-installed for $229 out the door. Of course if you're interested, you'll need to hurry; this offer is only good until they run out of stock.

When Microsoft disabled optical disc drives for media players, I was wondering where applications like TotalMedia Theatre would go - after all, if you're not shipping a new product every so often it's difficult to keep the fresh stream of revenue required to keep making bug fixes and adding support for new "protection" schemes. I wasn't able to see this at CES, but shortly after I got back ArcSoft let me know that it was coming and today I finally got the time to have a look - you can too after the click.